books, baking and painting.

I'm officially employed now. WOHOO. Except it's sorta stressful, seeing how my education depends on how much money I can save up between now and January 5th. Grant Mac requires all payments upfront. EEK. I'll be saving my shekels like mad, that's for sure.

Being employed always brings some form of adventure into my life. For instance - on Thursday, while working at GAP, I learnt how to fold clothes. It's WAY harder than it looks, let me tell you. I was told to refold t-shirts in this credenza in the middle isle of our store. I was instructed to make it look crisp and clean - like the piles were lifted right from a box. The end result, however, was an utter failure. Folding a wimpy t-shirt over a plastic board is awkward, and is made me feel like a total she-oger when the gay guys did this process while styling their hair and texting on their BlackBerry's. Needless to say, my talents and abilities do not exist in the realm of perfectionist folding. But I did realize that I have a knack for looking like I know what I'm doing when really, I don't have a clue. For example, when a customer came up to me and asked me for pair of hip-slung, boot cut, 36' inseam, yadayadayada... pants, I nodded in understanding through out her request, smiled sweetly, and directed her to the endless wall of store-brand jeans. From there, she was taken care by another associate. She had no idea of my inadequacies, the bizarre nature of her request, and the fact that it was only my second day. See? A happy customer and a smart-looking employee. Life is grand!

My room is finally done too. It has been a swell week: working, catching up on good reads, and enjoying days at home. I feel pretty proud of my new headquarters - I successfully trimmed all the corners and baseboards, complete with minimal smudging on the roof and carpet. So now, when I relax in my grand room, I take in pride in what I helped with! But sadly, the occupation of a painter is not for me.

A week of minimal activity spurs random events. Like baking cookies. My friend and I decided to devote an entire afternoon to the careful construction and precise handling of cookie baking. Result? An epic fail. It was impossible to taste the Skor chunks, but that may have been because the bottom was so burnt, all you could taste was charcoal! Or something like that. The list of professions I should never pursue seems to keep growing! I shall never be a baker.

I wish I could read for a living. I just finished two outstanding books that I regret finishing. 'After River', by Donna Milner, is a fantastic book with a quite a few surprising twists. The setting isn't anything fantastical, but the plot the weaves all the characters together and brings them to life - it is astonishing how genuine each character seems. Thumbs up, for sure. Also, 'Picture Perfect' by Jodi Picoult is SO SO SO GOOD. In a nutshell, a woman with amnesia is found by a police officer and is then returned to her husband, who happens to be a Hollywood hotshot actor. That story line is mixed in with the plot of the cop: he's a Native, and struggling with his identity and heritage. When everything comes together, it's incredible. One of her best books, I'd say.

Such is life right now - working during the day, and enjoying home life in the evening. I've still got my goal dead on for Winter admission, and can't wait to get there. For now though, I'm completely content reading and working, and figuring out what I should not do as a professional occupation!

Enjoy,

D.